Precision machined components are used in almost every industry, from medical and electrical to automotive and aerospace.  With increasing demand, simply machining raw materials to specific measurements isn’t enough to satisfy customer requirements and different types of finishing must be considered.

Not only do different finishing techniques have to be considered in order to prolong the life of the machined part, but also to make it safe to work with, removing sharp edges and unwanted material.

Depending on the use of the machined component depends on the finishing technique that needs to be applied. If you’re not sure what finishing technique you require after your precision machining, let our guide break down exactly what is offered and what it can be used for.

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Deburring Machined Components

Unwanted sharp edges are the hidden villain of machined components. Known in the industry as burrs, even the smallest, most hidden burr can be dangerous to both the human operator and the final machine, causing long delays and even serious damage.

Deburring is, as the name suggests, the process that removes these unwanted sharp edges. Through processes ranging from manual hand tools to electrochemical machines, these deburring techniques help remove all unwanted burrs and ensure a long-life span of the machined component.

 

Surface Grinding For Machined Parts

Sometimes a machined component straight out of the CNC or miller isn’t enough and it must undergo additional finishing to bring it up your expectations. This is where you can use surface grinding.

For instance, after machining, some materials are left with a coarse surface that needs to be smoother in order to be fully operational. This is where grinding comes in. Using an abrasive surface to take make materials smoother and more accurate, a grinding wheel can remove up to around 0.5mm of material from the part’s surface and is a great solution to highly finished precision machined component. 

 

Dressing To Ensure Long Life Grinding

Dressing goes hand in hand with grinding and is the process of maintaining a clean and sharp grinding wheel.

When yours stops providing you with quality smooth and polished components, chances are it’s time to dress your grinding wheel and remove the dulled abrasives on the surface.

Using a dressing tool, dressing helps maintain your grinding wheel by removing the old worn grains, and unwanted material that cause vibration. In turn, your machined components maintain the high standards expected of them, helping the customer achieve their goals.  

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Galvanising To Protect Lifespan of Precision Machined Components

Used to give a protective coating to the likes of steel and iron, galvanising is a process that involves applying a protective zinc coating to materials to help prevent rusting and unwanted corrosion.

The material is dipped into a bath of molten zinc, ensuring all surfaces are covered and is most common in materials that are to be used outside such as trellis’ or balcony foundations.

Galvanising is an essential process that helps your precision machined components combat the elements and significantly increases their lifespan.

 

Powder Coating Machined Components

Tough, durable, and good looking. For machined components that are going to be visible to the end user, powder coating is a great finishing solution to add branding while also protecting and extending the life of the component.

Capable of providing companies with specific colour matching, powder coating is a dry finishing process that is a hugely popular within all industries.

As well as giving end users a change to give identity to their machined components, powder coating is extremely durable and more resistant to the likes of impact and moisture than traditional painting.

 

Machined Component Shot Blasting

Shot blasting can be described as ‘engineering jet washing’. Used to remove dirt and mill scale from machined components, shot blasting is a cleaning process in which spheres of material are propelled towards components to clean the surfaces.

If not shot blasted, machined components could be left with any number of unwanted debris which not only leave a poor aesthetic but could affect any fabrication such as welding causing headaches further down the manufacturing process.

 

Conclusion

When it comes to finishing machined components, there a whole range of options for the end user. Depending on the intended result usually determines what finishing technique needs to be applied.

Need to show off branding? Choose powder coating. Looking for a smooth finish? Grinding is for you. Producing parts to be used outdoors? You’re going to want to consider galvanising.

The above finishing options are all offered by Ercon and are a great means to help you prolong the life of your machined components and get the results you desire.

Interested in finding out more? You should get in contact.

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